Community

I must admit. I am happy where I live. The community I live in came through today with flying colors.

Today was the levayah for my uncle. There was a small hitch to that. You see he didn't live here. He lived in Maryland but was being buried in NJ, right near where I live. So family, the small family that we have and mind you my brothers are Kohanim so they do not count, came to the cemetery for the grave-side funeral. It is so sad to see at such an age there are few people who care enough to show their last respects to the meis. Did you notice I said few?? Well that was the problem. How do you have a funeral without having Kaddish said? What do you do when only 5 men show up and you need 5 more??

You call IFUNCUSED and tell her to get five more men to come and make a minyan at the cemetery. UH! Hello...Don't the men work? Isn't it awkward to call people you DO NOT know and ask them...Hey wanna come to the cemetery today at noon?? I mean that is so very strange and mind you it is FREEZING outside. What choice did I have? So off I went and made phone calls as well as my husband making calls, and my sister in law who lives in town and and and a cousin .... BH! I must say. We had our minyan plus. I am very proud of my community. They came through. Not knowing us, when they heard that there this is a mais mitzvah, they did not hesitate a second and "of course" "what time" "where" were the questions we got. Who wants to take their lunch break and spend it in a cemetery? Especially when it is 30 degrees and colder! I was very very impressed with the outcome! It makes me proud to be part of the Jewish Community.

Another thing I must add though none read this. I must thank my friends. You see, my mother is sitting shiva in BP and I do not live there. I don't live that close that I can bring supper over every night and who is there to make supper for her. So I spent most of the night last night calling in favors from my dear friends and asking them if possible to make supper and send it over. Yes, my friends know my mom and all, but most are busy with their jobs and family, and most do not live so close, so it is a hardship. But I give credit to them. Even in their busy schedule they too came through with flying colors and it warms my heart to know that I have such good friends.
You know I almost called some of my readers..But I decided against that.

The next time I get a phone call to make food or do something for someone I will say yes right away. Now I know how people feel when they call someone to make food for a family. You never really understand why, until now.

Hamakom Yinacheim eschem bsoch shaar avlei tzion byirushalayim